Sylvanian Families Care Home Part 1

Margot Marmalade the bear stood outside Little Chestnut Care Home with her elderly father, Quincy Marmalade.

"No! I refuse to be dumped in a horrible care home whilst you go off on holiday!" Exclaimed Mr Marmalade. 

The rest of the Marmalade family were going to the Isle of Wight for a family holiday, but Quincy Marmalade gets awfully bad sea-sickness. So it was decided Quincy would go and stay in the Care Home for the week, rather than the whole family listening to the old bear grumble on. 

"Mrs Hazelwood will take excellent care of you, Dad. You can't just stay at home." Margot explained. Quincy Marmalade was rather wobbly on his paws nowadays, and she was worried he would take a fall.  

Gossip travels very quickly in Little Chestnut, and so the current residents of the Care Home were already expecting him.

"I hope he's not as grumpy as I remember!" Carmen Cottontail the bunny said.
"He certainly won't like Mrs Hazelwood telling him what to do!" Mrs Renard the fox said, looking up from her newspaper.

After much grumbling, and with the help of some of Mrs Hazelwood's best biscuits, Margot Marmalade managed to get Quincy settled down into a nice armchair.

The main lounge in the care home consisted of a mismatch of different sofas and armchairs, newspapers and tea pots. Mrs Hazelwood kept it very clean and cosy. 

"Is that the Sylvanian Times you're reading Mrs Renard?" Mr Marmalade said, nosily peering over.

"Yes, did you know we all get a free copy everyday?" Mrs Renard explained. Mr Marmalade tried very hard not to look impressed by this; the Sylvanian Times was the best newspaper around. 

Mrs Hazelwood got him his own copy of the newspaper, refilled his tea, and gave him some more biscuits. Quincy Marmalade was very surprised to find himself almost enjoying himself!

The other side of the room, Mildred Mulberry was watching television and sipping tea.

"Is that Classical Music at 6, Mildred?!" Quincy Marmalade jumped up from his armchair and bounded over to the television, completely forgetting his walking stick! 

"We don't have this television channel at home", thought Quincy Marmalade to himself as he settled down in front of the television. Maybe Mr Marmalade was going to have a better time than he'd expected....

Baking With Grandma Cottontail

One day, Primrose Cottontail went to her Grandma and Grandad's house for the day. Grandma Cottontail wanted to make sure that Primrose had a lovely time, so she spent lots of time thinking about what they could do together.

Whilst drinking her morning coffee, Grandma Cottontail was reading through her favourite baking magazine.
"Baking! What an excellent idea," Grandma Cottontail thought to herself.

"Hello Primrose my dear, would you like to bake some biscuits?" Grandma Cottontail asked.

"Ooh yes please, my favourite!" Primrose beamed.

"Could you whisk the eggs Primrose dear? My elbows are very stiff nowadays!" Asked Grandma Cottontail.

"Of course Grandma!" Primrose laughed, as she picked up a fork.

After a lot of giggles and messy flour, they put the biscuits in the oven to cook.

"These smell delicious!" Grandma Cottontail said, getting them out of the oven.

"And they look like they'll taste delicious too.." Primrose put her paw out to take one.

"No not yet my dear! You'll fry your whiskers if you eat that! Let them cool down first," Exclaimed Grandma Cottontail. Primrose grumbled to herself before finally agreeing she did quite like her whiskers the way they were already.

Finally the biscuits had cooled down, and Primrose helped her Grandma arrange them on one of her best plates. 

"Hmm," Wondered Grandma Cottontail. "I wonder who else would like one of these biscuits..."

I'm alive?!

It's been about a year and and a half since I have updated this blog - how embarrassing! I am very glad to see it is as popular as ever and I am now am close to 100,000 visits to this blog?! Wow, thank you so much. I have only just began reading through the hundreds of comments / emails I have received and you have all made me smile so much :)

Thank you all for sticking around - don't worry, I am still very fond of my little furry critters and this blog will be back up in action very soon.

Afternoon Tea With Mrs Renard and Mrs Dappledawn

Roxy Renard the fox stood at the front door of the Grand Mansion, home to the Dappledawn rabbits.

Mrs Dappledawn answered the door.

"Hello Mrs Renard! Do come in, awfully chilly wind outside today," Mrs Dappledawn welcomed Mrs Renard into her home. 

"Autumn has certainly set in," Mrs Renard laughed.

"I've just put the kettle on, tea or coffee Roxy?" Mrs Dappledawn asked her, as Mrs Renard settled herself at the parlour table.

"A tea would be charming thank you, I am here for afternoon tea after all!" Mrs Renard replied.

"I better get brewing the tea then," Mrs Dappledawn said, picking up the kettle off the stove.
"Mmmn...whatever you're cooking smells divine, Theodora!" Mrs Renard commented.
"Goodness me! You just reminded me! I need to take the pie out of the oven to cool," Rushing to the oven, Mrs Dappledawn put on an oven glove.

"It's a blackberry pie for Mr Dappledawn's pudding tonight," Explained Mrs Dappledawn, excitedly.
"I only wish I could stay for dinner!" Mrs Renard smiled.
"Ah, the tea's brewed! I can finally sit down, I haven't stopped all day.." Mrs Dappledawn sat at the parlour table opposite Mrs Renard.

The two ladies talked the afternoon away; gossiping, discussing recipes and beauty products, you couldn't have got a word in edgeways!

When Mrs Renard left, they both promised they wouldn't leave it as long next time before they catch up - but they both have very, very busy lives!

Much like me - I'm afraid Sylvanians have really had to just be on the back burner of my life lately :( I have done a little decorating of houses here and there (like the kitchen in the Grand Mansion in the story), but nothing really post-worthy. I always seem to show a greater interest in my Sylvanians around the Winter period so hopefully I will post again sometime soon.

A Lovely Present From a Wonderful Friend

Yesterday, I received a long-awaited gift from my dearest friend Santie! Santie emailed me a while ago to tell me she had a present for me and since then I've been very excited for it to arrive :)

The moment I saw the stamps on the parcel (all the way from South Africa!), I knew straight away what it was and opened it! 

Here is the contents of the package! Some Rooibos Tea, some sweets (how did you know butterscotch was my favourite, Santie?!), some lovely bracelets, two amazing handmade sheep, the EU Sylvanian Families bakery set and a note from Santie. 

Santie noticed that my bakery looked a little bare, and got Mr Appleblossom, the baker from her village, Rooibosch Hill to bake some goodies for Little Chestnut's bakery!

Marion Brighteyes only recently opened her bakery so she is very thankful to Mr Appleblossom for his help in stocking up the bakery :)

Santie has been a friend for quite a long time now, and she is honestly the kindest person I have ever had the pleasure of knowing, and her loveliness is an inspiration to me! Thank you so much Santie, although I hope one day we will meet and I can thank you in person :)

Here is a link to Santie's own Sylvanian website: Lady Lollipop's Sylvanian Families, which you should definitely visit! 

Vintage Mansion, Nursery & School

Because I haven't posted on my blog in a while, I haven't had the chance to show you my new purchases!

The first thing I got (a couple of months ago), was this Grand Mansion from 2001. It was mint in box, the only things it is missing are the hanging basket in the conservatory part and the shoe-cleaner. Considering the extremely low price I paid for it, I was thrilled.

This is my next project to wallpaper / decorate / furnish so I imagine you'll be seeing it again soon :)

Next, I brought the Vintage Nursery from 1989. Again, mint in box. Not even a single accessory missing, even down to the tiny little bowls and bottles.

I absolutely love the little curtains in this, for me they make the whole building! Although, they are quite yellowed with age, so I am considering unpicking them off the rails, giving them a wash and then sewing them back on.

Finally, the Vintage School from 1988, mint in box, and as far as I can work out, with all the furniture and accessories.

It is actually so tiny and adorable! I love the way it looks like an old church. 

The school even has a little door that opens to the bell tower (the bell can actually be rung by pulling the handle!). 

I only showed the buildings with the original accessories/furniture but I'm sure you will see them in stories when I have put some other things in them too :)

Happy May Day!

It's been a long time (over 5 months!) since I've updated this blog, so firstly I'd like to apologise for that. Life has been very busy. Although I haven't been posting on here or the Sylvanian Families Forum, my collecting has continued and I have made several new additions to Little Chestnut. I will be posting pictures of those very soon (I really do promise this time :P ).

Also, my blog turned 2 years old! And reached 40,000 page views, so thank you very much everyone for your support and kind words :)

For now: Happy Mayday from Lily and all the Sylvanians in Little Chestnut :)

Traditionally in my village in England, girls and boys from the local school display a maypole dance every year on May 1st. It's a pretty big celebration, and most towns/villages have a fair.